The Umbrella Partner

Chapter 4 - Best day ever!

Cellphones developed a peculiar habit over the years. Whenever a person needed to go out, their phone would immediately eat up all the charging and sport an innocent face. The owner would be left with no choice but leave it back home and hope they wouldn't encounter a need to use it until they returned.

I couldn't walk back home, lest I exposed my bandaged arm to the rain. I definitely couldn't book a cab. I sighed and decided to wait, hoping it would stop raining soon. And as if mocking me, the intensity of the rain doubled.

"Devansh sir." I heard someone call me. I turned around to see the Social teacher again.

"Hello teacher. You're back?" I failed horribly at containing my excitement. She came back for me? Me? How sweet of her!

"Actually I forgot to buy cucumber." She replied, wiping the smile on my face. "And my cousin here, wanted cheese."

She pointed at a hippie-looking teenager in a leather jacket, who waved at me. I waved back at the kid, unenthusiastically.

"You're him. Aren't you?" He asked me.

"Um... Which him?" I asked, confused. The teacher giggled.

"You saved the kids!" He grinned at me. "Ruthi wouldn't stop talking about you. I'm your fan." He shook my hand.

I couldn't help grinning back. "The real hero is your cousin. It was her determination to help the children that inspired me."

"Look at you two. Each giving the credit to the other one. You guys are each other's biggest fans." He grinned again.

"Ignore my cousin." The teacher said. "How are you going to get back home?"

"I didn't bring my phone. Or else I would have called a cab."

"You can't get a cab at this hour."

"I'll call my friend then and ask him to drop me home. Could I borrow your phone?" Wait! Why would I say that? I have known her for less than a day. How could I ask for her phone? I smacked my head mentally.

Before I could say something she opened her bag and handed me her phone. It was wet. I hoped, for her sake, that it would still work. Imagine the only source of your entertainment getting damaged during an unscheduled holiday. One of my worst nightmares.

I tried entering my friend's number. But I couldn't input number 9.

"I think it is damaged due to rain." She said casually. "I'm sorry."

"Hey! You want to press 9? Why don't you turn the phone upside down and press 6?" Her cousin suggested, wheezing with laughter.

I chuckled. The teacher glared at him for a moment before turning to me. "My apologies. My cousin here, has vowed to keep breaking his own weekly records and attain new heights in previously unlocked levels of idiocy."

I burst out laughing. "He's a funny kid." I said, thumping his shoulder. He looked happy.

"Come. Let me drop you home on his vehicle. He can walk back home." The teacher suggested.

"That wouldn't be necessary. I don't want to trouble you." I refused.

"It's fine, dude. Go with her." The funny kid assured me.

I accepted the offer without looking overjoyed. We reached the said vehicle. My jaw dropped. It was Royal Enfield. "You ride... this?"

"Yes. Now hold my umbrella above your head. And don't worry. I won't go too fast." She assured me.

Throughout the journey I marveled at her skillful driving. "You seem to be an expert."

"I don't like to brag. But everyone in my extended family took lessons from me."